Betaine HCI , is this the best product for low stomach acid ?

[C70rol]

Hi everyone. I have been taking apple cider vinegar for my low stomach acid for some time now and it has suited me fine. But recently , I've felt it isn't enough. As my bowels are much more loose in the mornings and I need to go A couple of times. plus my stomach feels a touch bloated for a couple of hours after.

I would also say that I have adrenal insufficiency at present, that's dragging on, so perhaps I need more hydrochloride acid to strengthen the digestion?

Anyone else find that Betaine HCI works well for them ?

[ShinyB]

Hi, I take it before a meal, plus digestive enzymes. I also take a supplement called Beta Plus because I had my gallbladder removed. They seem to all help but I can't hand on heart say I know they are making a difference! I thought I would reply though as that will take your post back up the forum, so that more people might see it. It's easy for posts to get overlooked, so never worry about posting again if you've not received any replies after a day or so

[C70rol in reply to ShinyB]

Hi shinyB

thanks for replying,

which make of Betaine do you use,

[ShinyB in reply to C70rol]

Mine is Doctor's Best, Betaine HCl Pepsin and Gentian Bitters.

[PPower]

C70rol,

I was also taking apple cider vinegar and then switched to Betaine hcl with pepsin. I had been going up to 8-10 times per day! My symptoms disappeared immediately and it really has worked (been taking it about 2 wks. now). I take it with each meal after 2-3 bites. I've only had to take one pill with a meal but some people have to have more. Definitely worth trying!

[C70rol in reply to PPower]

Hello PPower,

thanks very much for replying, and I'm sorry to be late in my reply to you,but my internet has been off since yesterday evening and has just come back on!!!!....

I ordered (by phone), some Betaine HCI from Higher Nature today, because I wanted to get started on something ! But can you tell me which brand you use, and is it better to have the Pepsin with the Betaine ?

[PPower in reply to C70rol]

C70rol,

I'm using Metabolic Maintenance but I'm sure there are plenty that are good. I hope it's as successful for you as it has been for me!

[C70rol in reply to PPower]

Sounds interesting! Is that the brand name ? I've never heard of it before ,

[PPower in reply to C70rol]

Yes, that's the company name. I got 100 capsules of Betaine HCL with Pepsin. I had never heard of them before either but my acupuncturist/gut specialist recommended them.

[Dee8686]

Is this a symptom of low stomach acid? Frequent bowel movements?

[PPower in reply to Dee8686]

Dee8686, well, I just ad a stool test and it showed that I have poor fat malabsorption (high steatocrit) and that would suggest inadequate secretion of stomach acid or bile. The symptoms can vary with individuals but that is one of them.

[Dee8686 in reply to PPower]

Hmm I had a stool teat done too and my steatocrit was <15%. Not sure what that means!

[PPower in reply to Dee8686]

Dee8686, <15% is good and that is what's considered "normal." Mine is 29 which is high.

[Dee8686 in reply to PPower]

Ok that’s good to know thanks! I do have to go to the loo quite often sometimes though so just wondered if low stomach acid might be linked!

[PPower in reply to Dee8686]

You could start out by taking apple cider vinegar, 1 t in some water, before a meal. See if that helps.

[Credo in reply to PPower]

Hi Ppower,

I was diagnosed with a gallstone this year,after two years on Lanzaprozole and peptac, but surgeon said as I have no pain, there was no need to remove it. But last week I had to go to A&E with severe pain.Doc gave me pain relief and said stone had probably moved into bile duct. He said he would write to my surgeon that he had seen me that night, but what I really want is the stone removed . I now have been told that these meds stop absorption of my Thyroxine. I have stopped antacids, and now take apple cider vinegar, helps slightly. But now will order Betaine HCL.

[humanbean]

Betaine HCl should be bought with Pepsin included. The Pepsin is required to digest protein. Apparently poor digestion of protein is a common problem when stomach acid is low.

If you want lots of reading on the subject of low stomach acid...

For anyone who decides to take Betaine HCL and Pepsin, these are interesting and useful, particularly the last two links - and they are all quite short :

scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/hy...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/ho...

scdlifestyle.com/2013/10/4-...

For an explanation of how basic digestion works and why having low stomach acid is a problem (these links aren't aimed at people with thyroid issues, but they explain how and why low stomach acid causes so many problems) :

chriskresser.com/what-every...

chriskresser.com/the-hidden...

chriskresser.com/more-evide...

chriskresser.com/how-your-a...

chriskresser.com/how-your-a...

chriskresser.com/get-rid-of...